NUST Institute of Civil Engineering

CE 806

Reinforced Concrete Members

Strut and Tie Models for Design of

Deep Beams and Corbels

Dr. Wasim
Khaliq
 Discontinuity Regions

B-regions (Beam regions), in which beam theory

applies, including linear strains and so on. The members
we have been dealing
D-regions (Discontinuity regions) adjacent to
discontinuities o r disturbances, where beam theory
does not apply.
D-regions can be geometric discontinuities, adjacent
to holes or abrupt changes in cross section, or statical
discontinuities, which are regions near concentrated
loads and reactions.
Corbels, dapped ends, and joints are affected by both
statical and geometric discontinuities.
B and D regions
 B and D Regions

Frame structure containing substantial part of B regions, its

statical system, and bending moments (Schlaich et al. 1987)
B and D regions
D-regions and Discontinuities
 D-regions and Discontinuities

Situations mostly in
Deep Beams, Corbels
and other such
structural elements
 Behavior of D-Regions

Prior to any cracking, an elastic stress field exists, which can be

quantified with usual elastic analysis.
Cracking disrupts this stress field, causing a major reorientation of
the internal forces.
Such internal forces can be modeled via a strut-and-tie model
consisting of concrete compression struts, steel tension ties,
and nodal zones.
Compression struts may narrower at their ends than they are
at midsection, such struts may crack longitudinally.
Struts with transverse reinforcement to restrain the cracking can
carry additional load and may fail by crushing.
Failure may occur if struts are without longitudinal reinforcement.
Failure may also occur by yielding of the tension ties, failure of the
bar anchorage, or failure of the nodal zones.
Failure initiated by yield of the steel tension ties tends to be more
ductile and is desirable.
Strut-and-tie models